Terror Cancels Czech Republic Show To Support Randy Blythe

Hardcore band Terror is currently touring the world in support of their latest release Keepers Of The Faith. However, going over their world tour schedule, the band has decided to cancel a planned show in Czech Republic to show their support for Lamb Of God singer Randy Blythe. The band released the following statement:

“TERROR is going to cancel their show in the Czech Republic this month. We feel obligated to stand up for Randy Blythe. This situation seems to be taken too lightly. Randy comes from punk and hardcore roots, just like TERROR. He still supports underground music and has always supported TERROR– even singing on stage alongside us when we play Richmond. This hits really close to home for us having members of the band and our crew from the hometown of LAMB OF GOD.”

“We love our Czech fans very much and have amazing shows there, but we need to ‘stick tight’ to our friend Randy, which is why we have chosen to cancel the show. As a band that could easily be in this same position at any given show, we don’t think we can play there and act like this is OK – it isn’t.”

“This is bigger than a hashtag or a clever t-shirt– we as a community need to take action and speak up. Free Randy Blythe.”

Read on for my reaction.

Personally, I think this is the wrong move to make. Rather, the band SHOULD go through with their performance and use that opportunity to have serious, logical, and civilized conversations with fans on how to get involved, politicians on what can be done, and, if at all possible, stop in and visit Randy to let him know that the metal world has his back.

The Czech fans aren’t the ones who are persecuting Blythe. They should not have to suffer because the judicial system there is incredibly confusing to us and causing unbearable impatience and frustration. Metal bands should be showing their commitment to their community by not ostracizing fans for something that simply isn’t their fault.

The statement from the band is one of solidarity with Blythe’s predicament. However, it is also a statement of fear. “As a band that could easily be in this same position at any given show…” This is a statement that applies to all bands in any country. There is always a fear that fans can get injured or harmed in some way. However, the vast majority of fans know the rules of attending a metal concert. Personally, I’ve never seen people intentionally try to hurt others at a metal show. The camaraderie and mutual understanding of the “rules of a metal show” always supersede such trivial hostilities. And usually it’s someone’s own fault should they become injured.

Will performing there put money into the Czech Republic government? Of course. Taxes, fees, permits, etc… all require money. But giving information and receiving it back is priceless. That is what everyone (Randy, Czech fans, the metal community around the world, other bands) needs right now. Information. Terror has an opportunity to be an ambassador. It’ll be a shame if they pass it up.

What are your thoughts? Is Terror making the right move by canceling or should they push forward as originally planned?

COMMENTS

1 Comment

Radicalex

I agree. It’s really cool that Terror’s bringing attention to this and trying to support Randy by not playing there, but you’re right, they’re really just hurting the fans who won’t get to see them. I can’t imagine the government there is gonna cry over a hardcore band not showing up.

Aside from all this, Terror’s pretty rad and they’re a band I’m really itching to see one day.